CanFASD recommends the following definition:
CanFASD recommends the following definition:
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe impacts on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD is a lifelong disability. Individuals with FASD will experience some degree of challenges in their daily living, and need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills to reach their full potential. Each individual with FASD is unique and has areas of both strengths and challenges.
https://elearning.canfasd.ca/course/introduction-what-is-fasd/
How does FASD impact brain functioning?
How does FASD impact brain functioning?
Executive Functioning
Executive Functioning
Individuals with FASD commonly struggle with executive functioning skills that significantly impact self regulation, problem solving, cause-effect reasoning, adaptability, decision making, organizing and planning.
https://www.thepathway2success.com/executive-functioning-skills/
Response to Threats
Response to Threats
Individuals with FASD often have basic (breathing, heartbeat) and limbic (fight or flight) functioning in the brain unaffected by FASD. However higher cortical functionings such as reasoning are impacted with prenatal exposure to the brain. Therefore, while being able to respond to a situation with a fight or flight response but may have difficulty with reasoning their reaction to the situation.
Challenges
Challenges
Some typical challenges may include (note * each individual has unique strengths and needs):
Learning and Remembering Difficulties
Following or Participating in Conversations
Reading or Writing for Meaning
Understanding Abstract Concepts like time and money
Impulsive, Distracted, Overwhelmed
Difficulty making friends
Sensitive to Sounds, Visual Stimuli, Textures, and Smells
Additional Physical Disabilities
Caregiver Resource Guide
Caregiver Resource Guide
The family system has the greatest impact on children with FASD, both positively and negatively.
Protective Factors that may have a positive impact on children could be:
Stable and nutruring home
Consistent home environment
Positive home life (between ages 8-12)
Meeting basic needs
No experience with violence or trauma
Accessing developmental disabilities services
Early diagnosis (prior to age 6)
Raising children with FASD can face a number of challenges that may be physical, emotional, social and financial. However the family system that advocates and focuses on family resilence can reflect and identify the positive impact their children make as they grow.
Shift in Thinking
Shift in Thinking
From --> To
BEING a problem --> HAVING a difficulty
Willfull behaviours --> Supporting a disability
We need to try differently, rather than harder - Diane Melbine
We need to try differently, rather than harder - Diane Melbine
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